[55] How to test your language knowledge?

Hello everyone:)

I think that the topic I'm going to bring up today is often a subject to many questions and doubts. How can you actually know what level of English you represent? How can I measure it? Is B2 the same as intermetiade? How do I know this? Read more to find it out!

The first thing to start with is the different scales or measurements we can use to assess our language ability. There is the common european framework of reference for languages which is (in my opinion) the most popular and recognised scale:

A Basic User

A1 Breakthrough or beginner

A2 Waystage or elementary

B Independent User

B1 Threshold or intermediate

B2 Vantage or upper intermediate

C Proficient User

C1 Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced

C2 Mastery or proficiency

There is also another scale that is often used to asses the language level in terms of Cambridge language certificate:

KET (elemntary)

PET (pre-intermediate)

FCE (upper-intermediate)

CAE (advanced)

CPE  (proficiency)

Of course, there are many different certificates that have different measurements and scales. If you are interested in a post with the differences between language certificates, write in the comment! 

 Here you have a graphic presentation of various language certificates and their comparison. 

If you want to find out more details about different descriptions of language levels, don't hesitate to visit the following websites:

http://englishschool.org.uk/levels-of-english/

http://www.embassyces.com/about/levels_of_english.aspx

So how can you actually test your English level?

There are many online tests that you can undertake to receive a suggested English level, but you must remember that such tests are never 100% accurate. Why? Because majority of them does not include a speaking part, writing exercises or listening tasks, so it does not assess all language skills.

I chose some of the English tests that are online and free of charge that I decided to try out and write a few words about them. Of course you can find many, many more on the Internet, so if you think the ones presented here are not enough, feel free to do some more!

http://anglo.pl/sprawdz-swoj-poziom/test-z-jezyka-angielskiego

The tests consists of 10 pages that test vocabulary and grammar knowledge. No speaking or listening part included. At the end you are given the number of correct answers and an opportunity to check which ones were wrong. It does not, however, give you the suggested level of English.

http://www.world-english.org/test.htm

This tests consists of total 35 questions and 4 levels of difficulty: beginner to advanced. At the end of each part you are given the number of correct answers. It does not assess speaking or listening skills. It does not give a suggested level of English.

http://novacentrum.pl/index.php?option=com_admire_testy&test=1

The tests includes 50 questions with various difficutly and tests your grammar and vocabulary knowledge. At the end you are given the number of correct answers and you have an opportunity to check which ones were incorrect. You are given a suggested English level (however, it is limitted to upper-intermediate as the maximum).

http://www.english-online.org.uk/demon/demo2.htm

This tests consists of 3 part: vocabulary, grammar and reading. Your task is to complete all questions in less than a minute and at the end of each tests you are given the number of correct answers and suggested English level (however, it is limitted to FCE as the maximum)

http://englishenglish.com/englishtest.htm

The test consists of 90 questions that test your vocabulary and grammar knowledge. There is no spekaing or listening task. At the end you are given the number of correct answers and incorrect ones are pointed out in the designated box. You also become a percentage grade, however no suggestion about the English level.

http://www.pass-english-exams.com/en/courses/test.php

The test consists of 100 questions that test your vocabulary and grammar knowledge. There is no listening or spekaing part. At the end you are given the percentage of correct answers and your errors are highlighted. you are given a suggestion what course you should attend, i. e. beginner, upper-intermediate.

http://www.englishclub.com/esl-exams/levels-test-wc-start.htm

This is the test I enjoyed doing the most ;) It tests your English understanding, so your task is to find a changed sentence that means the same as the original sentence. At the end you are given the percentage score and a suggested level of English A1-C2 and it also stressed what I said it's just an approxiamte result, because it doesn't assess your speaking ability or listening skills.

http://www.uefap.com/test/default.htm

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/test-your-english/index.php

This test consists of 25 multiple choice questions which test your eneral language knowledge. There is no listening nor speaking part. At the end you are given the number of correct answers and a suggestion of a suitable certificate, i.e. FCE or CPE.

http://www.examenglish.com/leveltest/index.php

Here you have around 30-35 questions to answer which assess your vocabulary and grammar knowledge, but also language usage and functionality. It's a multiple choise task type. At the end of the test you are given the results which consist of a suggested certificate level (i.e. B1 or C2), IELTS band score and no of points at TOEFL iBT.

It is also possible to undertake a listening test, which I haven't tried out, but feel free to do so!

http://www.bfluent.pl/promocja/test,na,poziom,znajomosci,jezyka/test,na,poziom,znajomosci,jezyka,angielskiego.html

You answer 60 questions that refer to different spheres of a language like various grammar structures, idioms, vocabulary. There is no listening task or speaking task. At the end you get an information how many questions you have answered correctly and you have an option to give in an email address in order to obtain a description of the language level you represent.

TO SUMMARIZE,
Online tests might be helpful to get an overall view of what you know and what you don't, but remember, the best way to check your English level is doing a full English tests that includes all parts: listening, speaking, writing and reading. In many language schools you can undertake such tests for free and then it's more likely to get the best result and be sure what your English level really is. 

Do you think that online English tests really work? Share your results with us and if you know any other online ones worth trying, let us know!